Rainbow Gymnast Takes Top Honors At State Championship

Ewa Beach Elementary student Kiani Panoke took home top honors in multiple events and finished with an overall score of 36.37 in the Child C age division at 2014 USA Gymnastics Hawaii Women’s Junior Olympic State Championships. Photo courtesy Rainbow Gymnastics Academy.

Aiea’s Rainbow Gymnastics Academy, established in 1985, hosted the 2014 USA Gymnastics Hawaii Women’s Junior Olympic State Championships for gymnasts in Levels 3 to 5 Nov. 22-23 at Hanalani Schools’ student services center.

A total of 150 female athletes (ages 6 to 16) participated, and 30 of them hail from Rainbow Gymnastics Academy.

“Finishing the season with a complete all-around performance is the personal goal of all the athletes,” stated Rainbow Gymnastics Academy owner Cora Fonseca.

The organization’s eight-member Level 4 team stole the show with three members earning gold, silver and bronze honors for their work on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

One specific gymnast stands out with an overall score of 36.37 in the Child C age division.

Ewa Beach Elementary fourth-grade student Kiani Panoke took home top honors in vault, balance beam and floor exercise.

According to Fonseca, Panoke is an excellent role model for her teammates and encourages them to strive for perfection in their sport.

In total, Rainbow Gymnastics Academy athletes took home nine gold, seven silver and five bronze medals.

“Reflecting on the experience of state champions, Hawaii’s gymnastics will look forward to the future of the athletes and the success of their future in a sport that instill all-around rewards in fitness, skill, athleticism, time management and confidence,” added Fonseca.

Rainbow Gymnastics Academy is located at 98-023 Hekaha St., #7.